Relative Frequency of Tuberous Breast Disorders among Candidates for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Tuberous breast disorder (TBD), is manifested usually in small or asymmetric breasts after puberty, which makes patients candidates for breast augmentation surgery. Yet, its diagnosis may be difficult due to a wide variety of diagnostic criteria and severity of the disorder. So, the aim of this study -which to our knowledge stands as the first epidemiologic study about TBD in Iran, is estimation of the relative frequency of TBD among candidates for breast augmentation surgery.

In a descriptive cross-sectional study, profiles and real-size photograms of anteroposterior and lateral views of 732 referral candidates for breast augmentation surgery aged 18 years or older to clinics of two plastic surgeons in the city of [Isfahan] over a period of 9 years were enrolled. Relative frequency of TBD and its subtypes from I to III based on Grolleau et al. criteria, patients fulfilling at least one of the described features of the TBD, and breast asymmetry were estimated among the study population.

Among the study population 78% experienced asymmetry and 28.9% were diagnosed with TBD with a distribution of 50.9%, 39.1%, and 9.9% in the groups I to III respectively. 73.9% of patients fulfilled at least one of the TBD features.

Relative frequencies of 28.9% and 73.9% for TBD and its criteria respectively, show considerable prevalence among candidates for breast augmentation surgery.